Ok... got the album yesterday... gave it a good listen, and I'm working my way back through it...
Just some general thoughts...
- is it overproduced... well.. maybe a little, but having gone through the studio process myself, I understand. All of the layering really adds a lot of depth (although, I don't know that they need it, but in trying to make a copacetic approachable album for all it makes for an easier listen.) I will say though, there is a lot of restraint on this album. You don't really hear anything huge out of Marc and there are no long bridges.... our little jazz band has definitely made the move across the bridge to more of a new indy type sound...
- I don't think they'll try and pull this album off live, after all, it's not like most of these songs are new... I mean, they've been playing soft machine since like what 2003-2004... I think they'll stay the course.. I just really hope that they keep bringing the heat and not start doing just album versions of the songs (I seriously doubt this will happen).
- Brad has really found his sound with his voice (although, I find myself missing how high he sang December's children).
ok.. song for song...
1.) Decembers children - This song has been available online for a while so it's been mulled over by us all... I will say this, Pam hated this song... but when she got in the truck yesterday and heard it, she said she actually likes the album version...
2.) Even Rats - Again, it's been out for a while... this is definitely one of the tracks though that has a lot of restraint on it. I understand, but still, this song rocks and their kinda holding it back.. guess that just means when they play it live it will be a complete rocker...
3.) If one of us should fall - Pam and I almost made this song our wedding song, we love it.. from the moment we heard it NYE 2002 (the night I asked Pam to marry me)... but WTF is up with that WOOO HOO HOO shit at the beginning of the song... it's unneeded and the first time I heard the album version online, I actually stopped the track, cause it ruined it... by the end of the song, I love it again, but up until the middle I'm sooo filled with venom because of that 80's bullshit at the beginning of the track... I can honestly say if that wasn't there, this song would be perfect, but for now, I'll stick with the version on Liveelectric....
4.) Airplane/primitive - Good new song, I'm glad they added it to the album... I will say though that I kinda preferred it as an instrumental.. but it's good though
5.) Suffocation Keep - I LOOOOOVE this song.. I always have. I think the album version is almost perfect... I just kinda miss Brad singing through the mega phone effect.... kinda hollowing out his voice... but it translated really well to the album and I'm soo glad I have a version where you can hear brad's singing better.
6.) First Panda in Space - unneeded, but I understand why they did it... it's kinda like when the Grateful Dead made Anthem of the Sun and had to split up That's it for the Other One into Cryptical envelope, etc... you gotta have the single.. so you just make the intro it's own track.. but it's not like we'll ever hear this w/o Soft Machine.
7.) Soft Machine - Good, but almost a little too warm feeling. I like the cold somber versions of it... I'm glad they put it on, but it will always be one of those tracks that will be much better live... again though, it's nice to be able to actually hear brads voice.
8.) Life in Disguise - I heard this and was like "holy shit, I didn't know the Shins would be on this album...
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
" It's really good though... definitely a very radio friendly track, I could see this getting played at college radio stations across the nation. Too bad they didn't put on Chasing Rabbits too...
9.) Mothwing bite - Good song, but almost too poppy for me.. I think the verdict is still out for me.. I like it, but it might have to be one of those songs that grows on me... Definitely radio friendly and has MTV video potential... one little nit picky thing is I don't think I like the castanets.....
10.) The Original Blue Air - See Panda in Space... although, I love this intro.. and I understand why they separated it from paperbirds, but I don't ever think it will be played with out paperbirds Incidentally, I love the marimba (or is it steel drum, I think it's marimba, but for all I know it could be a keyboard)
11.) Paper Birds - Awesome... probably the best track on the cd (after my first listen..) But I love this song anyway... not crazy with the effect on brads voice at the end... but definitely glad they put this on here...
it's cool that the 2004 comp is basically this album.. we have good taste...
Like I said, I've only listened to the cd once... (actually twice, as I'm listening to it while I'm writing the review)... so I'm sure my opinions on things will change... Will I say it's their best work... well.. I guess it's a matter of opinion... I think it's a great produced album.. I think I almost like Angels a little better, but I gotta give this album a chance... anyway.. that's my short review...